Rural Broadband 2022-12-01
2022-12-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the progress of broadband expansion in rural parts of his constituency and elsewhere.
What steps her Department is taking to expand broadband coverage in rural areas. The lack of broadband connectivity affects many communities, especially those on the margins of commercial viability. Residents are experiencing repeated delays and long wait times for fibre installation.
We are investing £5 billion through Project Gigabit to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas across the UK. We have increased the value of vouchers so that people can apply for as much as £4,500 towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband in rural and particularly hard-to-reach areas. The voucher scheme will be reopened across Lancashire soon.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The exact timeline for procurement contracts in Lancashire was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP's constituents in Nether Wallop, Over Wallop and Barton Stacey have faced changed criteria, delays, and inability to split postcodes for their broadband applications.
I assure the Minister that the people of Nether Wallop, Over Wallop and Barton Stacey do not feel that Project Gigabit is delivering for them. They have seen changed criteria; an inability to split postcodes; delays in processing applications; being told they will not be able to reapply until 01/23 because the project will still not be procured for those areas. The voucher scheme remains suspended. They want answers and delivery, not news that the project is delivering in Cumbria.
We have launched two of our procurements in areas covering Romsey and Southampton North. The value of vouchers has been increased, allowing people to apply for up to £4,500 towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband in rural and particularly hard-to-reach areas.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The exact timeline for procurement contracts and the re-opening of the voucher scheme was not specified clearly.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Residents of Station Road in Singleton, Lancashire have experienced repeated delays to the installation of fibre broadband, with no completion expected before 2026.
While some rural areas enjoy great connectivity, many on the margins of commercial viability such as Station Road do not. How can we prevent our rural communities from falling ever further into a digital divide?
We have increased the value of vouchers to as much as £4,500 towards installing gigabit-capable broadband. We are assessing alternative procurement approaches to Lancashire, with a plan to reopen the voucher scheme soon.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline for reopening the voucher scheme was not provided.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Only 10% of Blaenau Gwent has access to gigabit broadband, compared with a UK average of 72%. The swift roll-out of Project Gigabit is essential for levelling up the local economy.
I am pleased for Cumbria but just 10% of Blaenau Gwent has access to gigabit broadband. Will the Minister ensure that areas with the least coverage, such as Blaenau Gwent, are prioritised first?
The Welsh Government leads on that procurement. We work closely with them to accelerate their efforts, and I am happy to look into specific circumstances regarding Blaenau Gwent.
▸
Assessment & feedback
A clear prioritisation timeline for Blaenau Gwent was not provided.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Communities along the M4 corridor still do not have superfast broadband roll-out, despite companies claiming they cannot install within three miles of the motorway. The area has some of the lowest speeds in the UK.
Communities along the M4 corridor still do not have superfast broadband roll-out; communities in Ogmore constituency have some of the lowest speeds in the whole UK. I ask her to raise this issue again with the installers to get it fixed, and ensure my communities have far better broadband connectivity.
I would be grateful if he could write to me about the specific companies causing challenges in his area, particularly those issues related to the M4 motorway.
▸
Assessment & feedback
A direct timeline for resolution was not provided.
Response accuracy